What are your favorite vintage mountain bikes?
07-15-19, 06:34 PM
#27
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1989 MB-1 with 1994 Shimano XT gets me were I want to go (when in the woods).
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07-15-19, 07:56 PM
#28
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That Ritchey looks familiar
07-15-19, 08:17 PM
#29
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Does my Cannondale qualify as a vintage mountain bike. I’ve owned it since new. It is a solid, comfortable ride. 👍
Before the ‘Dale I owned a Parkpree. Pretty amazing bike, especially considering its low entry price.
PARKPRE MOUNTAIN BIKES - HISTORY
Before the ‘Dale I owned a Parkpree. Pretty amazing bike, especially considering its low entry price.
PARKPRE MOUNTAIN BIKES - HISTORY
07-15-19, 08:58 PM
#30
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There’s a lot of early rigid manufactures that I keep an eye out for. They rarely come up for sale. To me, not interested in anything “vintage” with suspension regardless of its pedigree.
My 86 Cimarron is a very fun knock around bike and would build another if given the chance.
My 86 Cimarron is a very fun knock around bike and would build another if given the chance.
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07-15-19, 09:18 PM
#31
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I also prefer MTBs with long chainstays and no suspension. For the vast majority of "consumer-grade" MTBs the suspension just adds weight, and the fork dampers quit working after 5-10 years.
Some of my favorites:
Klein Rascal
(Not pictured) '85 Trek 870
'92-96 Trek 930
'83 Bianchi Grizzly. Apologies for the frame-only pic. Currently powdercoated in a slightly jazzed version of the same color, waiting patiently in the build queue.
Some of my favorites:
Klein Rascal
(Not pictured) '85 Trek 870
'92-96 Trek 930
'83 Bianchi Grizzly. Apologies for the frame-only pic. Currently powdercoated in a slightly jazzed version of the same color, waiting patiently in the build queue.
07-15-19, 09:22 PM
#32
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07-16-19, 08:13 AM
#33
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They make pretty good commuter - all purpose bikes. This one was covered in grease and grime at a flea market but my wife saw enough of the paint to dig it out.
07-17-19, 04:40 PM
#34
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Only One I've Got
My favorite is the only MTB I've ever had. My 1985 Cannondale SM600 with the 24"/26" wheels. I built it in '85 when I worked in a Bike Shop in NY. What I'd like to find is a Slingshot in my size and price-range (which are both small).
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07-17-19, 06:58 PM
#35
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07-17-19, 07:07 PM
#36
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I like the utility of my 1988 Cimarron LE. I like the overall "look" of my 1983 Univega Alpina Ultima.
I've rebuilt the Cimarron several times. I recently picked up a 1990 Shogun Prairie Breaker, so I did a fairly complete transplant of its XT parts onto my Cimarron, although I used alternate brake calipers.
88 Cimarron 2019 Version by wrk101, on Flickr
1983 Univega Alpina Ultima by wrk101, on Flickr
Got to love the Superbe Tech RD on the Univega:
1983 Univega Alpina Ultima by wrk101, on Flickr
I've rebuilt the Cimarron several times. I recently picked up a 1990 Shogun Prairie Breaker, so I did a fairly complete transplant of its XT parts onto my Cimarron, although I used alternate brake calipers.
88 Cimarron 2019 Version by wrk101, on Flickr
1983 Univega Alpina Ultima by wrk101, on Flickr
Got to love the Superbe Tech RD on the Univega:
1983 Univega Alpina Ultima by wrk101, on Flickr
07-17-19, 07:16 PM
#37
Banned.
Greetings! Can you elaborate as to what you enjoy about your Cdale 600?
07-17-19, 07:21 PM
#38
Banned.
[QUOTE=wrk101;21032461]I like the utility of my 1988 Cimarron LE.
Hi Bill, I've got the Elkhorn model which is one step down from yours. What does your bike "do" for you. I noticed my Elk likes to steer; it really wants to turn in the direction the handlebars are turned. I'm used to riding around my usual POS BRC hauler which has much more reluctance to turn, even though they are similar mountain bikes.
Hi Bill, I've got the Elkhorn model which is one step down from yours. What does your bike "do" for you. I noticed my Elk likes to steer; it really wants to turn in the direction the handlebars are turned. I'm used to riding around my usual POS BRC hauler which has much more reluctance to turn, even though they are similar mountain bikes.
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07-18-19, 04:13 AM
#40
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Besides sentimental value, I like the comfortable ride I get despite the oversize tubes. I love the Suntour components; especially the reverse-action front. The Rollercams never gave me problem . I did switch to Pedersen Self-energizing brakes on the front when I replaced the steel fork with an SR Litage. It's also an example of a bike from an era when MTBs were trying new things (24/26 wheels as an example).
07-18-19, 04:07 PM
#41
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I dunno if this is considered vintage or not, maybe, as far as mtn bikes go, it is. Regardless: "run whatcha brung". Here's my 95 Trek 850, now with drop bars and friction/indexed Deore thumbies. Fine bike which does everything I want it to. I agree with others that all that suspension is just dead weight for me. Solid frame and fork work well. I know how to ride light in the saddle. Standing on the pedals on occasion is good for my back too.
Cheers
Cheers
07-18-19, 04:12 PM
#42
Thrifty Bill
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[QUOTE=prairiepedaler;21032484]
Last I knew Elkhorn was a Raleigh. With Schwinn, one step down was the High Sierra. Two steps down was the Sierra. The Cimarron was the one made in USA. High Sierra was made in Taiwan by Giant.
The geometry of the Cimarron just fits me.
I like the utility of my 1988 Cimarron LE.
Hi Bill, I've got the Elkhorn model which is one step down from yours. What does your bike "do" for you. I noticed my Elk likes to steer; it really wants to turn in the direction the handlebars are turned. I'm used to riding around my usual POS BRC hauler which has much more reluctance to turn, even though they are similar mountain bikes.
Hi Bill, I've got the Elkhorn model which is one step down from yours. What does your bike "do" for you. I noticed my Elk likes to steer; it really wants to turn in the direction the handlebars are turned. I'm used to riding around my usual POS BRC hauler which has much more reluctance to turn, even though they are similar mountain bikes.
The geometry of the Cimarron just fits me.
07-19-19, 05:21 AM
#44
Full Member
1990 Panasonic MC6500. But that‘s the only mountain bike i have ever ridden and owned 
07-19-19, 06:26 AM
#45
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I went thru a phase with seeking old MTBs out. Partially for the quirky early geo, bullmoose and bi-plane. But also because the early had BMX and/or motorcycle parts, and that's just cool.
They are great all around bikes most anyone can or will ride. Modern MTB are like Modern BMX. Very business and specific. They will both swing back the other way or offer more options to make then more rounded, in time ..
They are great all around bikes most anyone can or will ride. Modern MTB are like Modern BMX. Very business and specific. They will both swing back the other way or offer more options to make then more rounded, in time ..
Last edited by Bikerider007; 07-19-19 at 06:33 AM.
07-19-19, 07:16 AM
#46
Banned.
[QUOTE=wrk101;21033906]Hi Bill, your memory is working just fine. It is Raleighs' Crested Butte which was TOTL in that series, not a Cimarron (which is a Schwinn product). I knew it started with a "C". I don't know where the Elkhorn was made.
07-19-19, 07:23 AM
#47
Banned.
Besides sentimental value, I like the comfortable ride I get despite the oversize tubes. I love the Suntour components; especially the reverse-action front. The Rollercams never gave me problem . I did switch to Pedersen Self-energizing brakes on the front when I replaced the steel fork with an SR Litage. It's also an example of a bike from an era when MTBs were trying new things (24/26 wheels as an example).
07-19-19, 12:00 PM
#48
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Ok B84, thanks for the feedback. The one I have came with Deore all around, save for the rollercams. One could tell it had barely bin ridden. I need to switch handlebars, seatpost, stem and pedals in order to make it rideable. Everything has been cleaned, repacked and adjusted. I even took the time to re-enforce those plastic cable guides atop the top tube with E6000 before they break off on their own, then painted over the glue with black enamel for UV protection. Looks not bad. I think I'd even go one step further and put some kind of minor padded roll bar over the TT for extra protection.
07-19-19, 04:08 PM
#49
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I haven't owned a lot of MTBs and in fact my first one was a way too big Specialized StreetStomper. I would mind having a Fisher HKII, it was just a good bike. The only issue I had was the HS and I think it was a design flaw in that that big 1 1/4" headset just needed more threads on the locknut to get ti set tighter.
However an old MTB I would love to have because I thought the color was very cool. It was the 1990 Univega Alpina Sport LX, I am not sure it was even in the catalog. It wasn't the most expensive bike in the line but nicely appointed with a DB ChroMo frame and Shimano Mountain LX (which the following year became Deore LX) and a fabulous paint job. The paint was a great lavender color with big speckles, almost like flecks, of colored paints. Aside from the one my friend had I've only ever seen one listed for sale but couldn't swing it.
The HK II (interweb pic)
However an old MTB I would love to have because I thought the color was very cool. It was the 1990 Univega Alpina Sport LX, I am not sure it was even in the catalog. It wasn't the most expensive bike in the line but nicely appointed with a DB ChroMo frame and Shimano Mountain LX (which the following year became Deore LX) and a fabulous paint job. The paint was a great lavender color with big speckles, almost like flecks, of colored paints. Aside from the one my friend had I've only ever seen one listed for sale but couldn't swing it.
The HK II (interweb pic)
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
07-19-19, 05:20 PM
#50
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